I share a lot of my personal cruising pictures with you all on Facebook, but I wanted to create a little album for you all today that goes through some of my cruising history. The first ship I sailed on, the first ship I in fact ever did see! Just something a little more personal that sheds light on how my passion has grown over the last several years.
P&O Cruises, Oriana the first ship I ever sailed on and what a cruise that was!
My first tender experience. I do love tender ports. It’s exciting going from ship to shore especially if the water is a little choppy. I know not everyone is a fan of it though.
P&O Cruises, Oceana was actually the first cruise ship I ever set eyes upon! I still remember coming over the bridge in Southampton and seeing her, at first thinking she was Oriana, the ship I would be sailing on. I was secretly excited but keeping my “I don’t want to go” face painted on as I didn’t want to admit that I had started warming to the idea of a cruise. Oh how the tables turned!
The one and only time I have ever been concerned during a cruise. We were so close to the other ship that my heart was in my throat. Yes, it is actually two ships! There were bridge officers from both vessels strategically placed, checking that we were not going to touch one another. I got the impression the crew from the other vessel were not impressed, you could see the concern clearly on their faces saying as we were only a few feet away from them!
The moment I fell in love with the ocean. This view is one I never take for granted, you can’t experience anything on land quite as relaxing and peaceful as the ship’s wake.
The first time I witnessed ‘twins’. Ruby Princess in the distance and P&O Cruises, Ventura leaving Civitavecchia, Italy.
My first cruise ship ‘racing’ experience. In the distance Norwegian Jade then Independence of the Seas and I was onboard Oriana. We sailed alongside one another for several hours. Independence eventually took the lead and disappeared into the sunset.
One of the first sunsets I enjoyed at sea. Again this was another of those ‘falling in love’ moments. I would much prefer to be out on the open deck watching this than stuck inside. This is my entertainment!
I have many more images I would like to share with you, but i’ll save them for another day! 🙂
Author: Danielle
CruiseMiss.com 
Lovely photos. I went on my first cruise (Ventura) last October. We disembarked via tender at Monte Carlo but it was so choppy that my son was sick. It was a wonderful trip, and I’d love to go again.
Looking forward to more pics. Agree with you that watching the ship’s wake is peaceful and relaxing however it looks like you have not experienced a vessel under 100,000 tons. A cruise is all about relaxing, smaller vessels with less people and less ‘in your face’ activities is my idea of cruising. Try a ‘traditional’ ship, Marco Polo, Black Watch or even the Athena (now Azores) (notorious in the sinking of the Andrea Doria as the Stockholm). BTW I’d love to know the identity of the vessel you so ‘nearly missed’ as it looks like an old timer.
The smallest ship I have cruised on was Oriana at 69,000 tons, but I am on MSC Opera next at 58,000 tons. I will actually be sailing on Marco Polo very soon! 🙂 Really looking forward to it! I wish I could tell you the name of the other vessel but I honestly can’t remember, I was too busy waiting for impact! 😉
What fun pictures! The “twins” one is a cool pic. Sounds like you’ve had some incredible cruising experiences.